orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯr-fə-nij 

ˈȯrf-nij

1

: the state of being an orphan

2

: an institution for the care of orphans

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

After the death of his parents, he was raised in an orphanage.

Recent Examples on the Web

The next day, a judge ruled that Robby and Michael should be considered wards of the state and sent them to an orphanage. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Roberts has an American Dream story - from his beginnings in an orphanage in South Korea. — Elizabeth MacBride, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Set in reform schools, psychiatric wards, or overcrowded orphanages, the narratives explore the systemic erasure of identity. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026

In addition to a starry road trip through musical Americana (with none other than Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and James Brown), Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi are Chicago criminal siblings on a mission from God to save their old orphanage. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle French orphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij 

: an institution for the care of orphans